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Box 1

 Container

Contains 121 Results:

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Gloucester Point, to his son, Charley Watkins, 1862 April 13

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id104703
Scope and Contents

Describes his surroundings, the big (York) river and ships on the river; (does not mention the Peninsular campaign or his activities therein); asks Charley to watch out for his little sister, continue to learn, and to mind his ma and grandma. Illustrates bottom of letter with picture of a horse.

Dates: 1862 April 13

Pattie Watkins, Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward County, to her sister, Nannie V. Watkins, Sassafras Fork Post Office, Granville County, North Carolina, 1862 April 14

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id104705
Scope and Contents

Gives many details of everyday life; mentions that her mother is unwell; describes activities of two brothers also fighting in war; mentions a friend who might be converted.

Dates: 1862 April 14

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Gloucester Point, to Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 April 15

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id104708
Scope and Contents Gives detail of his activities over the past few days; mentions enemy shelling of Confederate troops on Peninsula on Sunday evening perhaps to lower morale; tells of exchange of fire with enemy steamers; discusses increase in his relgious feelings due to his current situation. Including, April 16, 1862, acknowledges receiving Nannie's letter; thanks her for expressing her support of him and of his cause; asks about things at home on their farm; sends his love to the negroes; expresses...
Dates: 1862 April 15

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Gloucester Point, to Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 April 18

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id104710
Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Asks Nannie to excuse the manner in which he writes as he is often interrupted by boys talking to him; acknowledges receiving her letter; tells of great joy in camp because almost everyone received mail; states that mail is an incredible morale booster; asks Nannie to have her and her childrens' photograph taken for him; mentions that Gloucester Point was quiet, but that there was heavy fighting on the Peninsula; reports figures of those killed and wounded on both sides;...
Dates: 1862 April 18

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Gloucester Point, to Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 April 22

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id104711
Scope and Contents All are well in camp except Daniel Booker who has the mumps; yesterday was a gloomy day for him, but that generally he feels as content and happy as others in the camp; asks for a bottle of ink and an ink stand; says that there is no news of interest because they do not know what is happening on the Peninsula; reports that he receives his Christian Observer regularly and enjoys it as it looks like home; describes a visit in Richmond as the cost of several purchases made there; comments on...
Dates: 1862 April 22

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Gloucester Point, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 April 24

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105238
Scope and Contents All is quiet both in his camp and on the Peninsula; notes seeing many transports carrying Yankee soldiers on the river; asks for more news and details from home; mentions his lack of trust in newspaper reports; complains of constant noise, bustle and confusion; asks for more news from home; inquires about his negroes and exhorts them to keep everything straight; writes that he is sorry he didn't see them before he left; describes being shelled by Yankee steamers; mentions increase in...
Dates: 1862 April 24

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Gloucester Point, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 April 27

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105239
Scope and Contents Discusses religious activities, such as Bible study and sermons, and mentions that several men have made confessions of faith; gives advice to Nannie on how to handle their separation, educate the children and states that they should be thankful for their fate which could be worse; states that Peninsula is still quiet, but that fighting must take place soon; the men are confident; says that Confederate lines are more strongly fortified than at Manassas and Centreville; army numbers eighty to...
Dates: 1862 April 27

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Gloucester Point, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 April 29

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105242
Scope and Contents Describes negative, poor morale of men after they heard news of New Orleans defeat; expresses disappointment at increasing amount of profanity among men and that this will not help their cause with God; tells of his visit to Yorktown and Captain Baskerville; states that men in Yorktown are in good spirits, but more exposed to the weather; writes of several religious activities; comments on the beliefs of his officers. Including letter, April 30, 1862, mentions that he could see the enemy...
Dates: 1862 April 29

Nathaniel V. Watkins to Nannie Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 May 3

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105244
Scope and Contents

Writes that they were issued muskets for a forced march; reports that they began the march, but turned back and now remain in camp; does not know reason for march; assures her he will be fine.

Dates: 1862 May 3

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Mangochick Church, King William County, Virginia, to Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 May 8

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105248
Scope and Contents

Gives details of their march from Gloucester Point; describes hospitality of people of King and Queen County as they passed through; says he does not know reason for leaving the Point; tells of several deserters; gives his love to his family and says they should all be grateful (incomplete).

Dates: 1862 May 8

Nathaniel V. Watkins, New Kent County, Virginia to Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 May 13

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105251
Scope and Contents Scope and Contents Now in the Army of the Peninsula, the Grand Army; describes various activities such as listening to sermons, visiting acquaintances in surrounding camps, bathing, and drilling; says his company has been divided into two-- one half, including our boys, to be left artillery, the other armed with muskets; mentions 18th Virginia Company and 23rd North Carolina Company; describes sight of six or seven thousand men on drill; reports that they are having an easier time in Light...
Dates: 1862 May 13

Pattie Watkins, Mount Pleasant, Prince Edward County, to her sister, Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 May 14

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105252
Scope and Contents

Writes of news received for Peninsula campaign including names of those wounded in their community; gives much family news regarding illnesses, gardens, etc.

Dates: 1862 May 14

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Henrico County, Virginia, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 May 17

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105255
Scope and Contents

Describes a miserable march and the manning of his gun; says that men stood the march well; says if he is made infantry he will attempt to transfer to another company; doesn't see how this force of eight or ten thousand can he whipped by any force. Including letter, April 18, 1862, gives instructions of where to write him; expresses concern for those at home due to outbreak of fever.

Dates: 1862 May 17

Nathaniel V. Watkins, in camp near Richmond to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 May 20

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105259
Scope and Contents

Describes the situation in the camp; says that he and the men are well; states that he cannot visit Richmond as he must be accompanied by an officer and have a pass signed by his captain and by General Hill and General Robert Emmett Rodes and this is almost impossible; gives two reasons for officers wanting to keep men in camp-- impending battle and to keep men away from liquor in Richmond; states his desire and work to transfer to another regiment to be in artillery.

Dates: 1862 May 20

Nathaniel V. Watkins, in a camp near Richmond, Virginia, to Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 May 22

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105260
Scope and Contents

Dissatisfied with his regiment because it is now infantry and because of selfishness at their captain; mentions also that he feels superior and better qualified than many of his officers; states that his friend Doc is at home on a 20 day furlough because of his dysentery (incomplete).

Dates: 1862 May 22

Nathaniel V. Watkins, in camp near Richmond, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 May 26

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105261
Scope and Contents

Writes of his homesickness and concern that he loves her and his family too much, and that he would trade all the glories won in all battles for an hour at home with his wife and children; mentions health precautions of drying his feet well; writes again of his transfer attempts; says that he and most of the men have been suffering from diarrhea.

Dates: 1862 May 26

Nathaniel V. Watkins, in camp near Richmond, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 May 27

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 2
Identifier: id105263
Scope and Contents

Describes in much detail, the daily activities of camp for the past three days; mentions a failed attempt to join an artillery unit. Including letter, May 28, 1862, gives instructions for care of farm; requests more news from home, tells of busyness of camp. Enclosure: Two newspaper clippings from the Central Presbyterian.

Dates: 1862 May 27

Nathaniel V. Watkins, Richmond, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 June 1

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 3
Identifier: id105266
Scope and Contents Says that he is in Richmond due to a pain caused by passage of gravel from the kidneys to the bladder, a routine and not serious problem among men in the army; mentions a skirmish near the Chickahominy River where the Yankees were whipped; says they have been getting enough to eat despite rumours to the contrary; says morale is good; they are confident of holding Richmond; the tide of victory has turned in their favor and war will be over in a short time; thanks God for protecting his health...
Dates: 1862 June 1

Nathaniel V. Watkins, in a camp near Richmond, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 June 5

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 3
Identifier: id105269
Scope and Contents Acknowledges receipt of her letter of May 26 which encouraged him greatly; discusses his dislike of infantry service and desire to obtain a substitute; mentions that he has recovered from last week's illness; gives brief account of fighting on May 31 and June 1, Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks), although his party escaped involvement; gives more instructions of management of his farm. Including letter, June 5, 1862, requests new pair of shoes and blacking. Including letter, June 6, 1862,...
Dates: 1862 June 5

Nathaniel V. Watkins, in camp near Richmond, to Nannie V. Watkins, Townesville, North Carolina, 1862 June 7

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 3
Identifier: id105278
Scope and Contents Mentions comfortableness of present camp compared to some others; describes in more detail the Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks) on May 31 and June 1; notes location of enemy (Union troops); comments on what they gained-- 200 prisoners, a commissary, tents and some artillery; describes prisoners, says that they are not better educated and certainly not more moral than southerners; tells of eating oranges and drinking good coffee obtained from the enemy; mentions death of a man in his mess...
Dates: 1862 June 7

Nathaniel V. Watkins, in camp near Drury's Bluff, Chesterfield County, Virginia, to Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 June 11

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 3
Identifier: id105282
Scope and Contents

Has been transferred to Captain Bagby's company, Colonel Thomas Goode's Regiment Wises' Brigade; says he is now satisfied to be infantry because it is needed more and is happy to be out of the Chickahamoniy swamps; mentions that brother Dick's regiment is camped nearby and they have been able to see each other.

Dates: 1862 June 11

Nannie V. Watkins, Brookland, North Carolina, to her husband, Nathaniel V. Watkins, 1862 June 12

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 3
Identifier: id105285
Scope and Contents

Explains family's nighttime prayers for his (NVM) safety; gives news of family members; describes her activities at their farm and general farming conditions; mentions a man from Clarksville who was visiting and buying provisions for the government.

Dates: 1862 June 12

Nathaniel V. Watkins, in a camp near Drury's Bluff, Chesterfield County, Virginia, to Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 June 13

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 3
Identifier: id105287
Scope and Contents

Tells of much sickness in camp which he had luckily escaped; mentions improvements of new location, especially availability of good food; discusses the fact that his regiment probably won't fight soon due to their weakened condition and lack of training in infantry; expresses thankfulness again that his company was spared involvement in the recent battle in which there was much loss of life; acknowledges receipt of wife's letter and praises her support; sends his love to his family.

Dates: 1862 June 13

Nathaniel V. Watkins, at Camp "Stonewall Jackson," to Nannie V. Watkins, 1862 June 16

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 3
Identifier: id105294
Scope and Contents Tells of Doc's visit from Richmond, and thanks Nannie for the clothes and supplies she sent; repeats that it is impossible for him to get a furlough unless he becomes sick or obtains a substitute; gives a new address for his mail; exhorts her to write as often as possible, and to have faith that God's will will be done and will be good; acknowledges receipt of her letter and is sorry to hear that the negroes are sick with dysentery; gives instructions on the running of the farm; describes...
Dates: 1862 June 16

Pattie Watkins to her sister, Nannie V. Watkins, circa 1862 June 17

 Item — Box: 1, Folder: 3
Identifier: id105296
Scope and Contents

Describes in detail the health or sickness of various family members and friends; gives an acount of a recent battle (Battle of Seven Pines (Fair Oaks)) which appeared in a letter from brother Dick (Richard W. Watkins).

Dates: circa 1862 June 17